By Mava John Joshua
Daily, many online content creators upload videos to make people laugh.
Most times, the content are misdirected and sometimes out of pattern and or exaggerated; still the audience do not mind so far it is humorous and elicit laughter.
No one will want to pay directly to watch a skit either online or in cinemas, so perhaps, the producers of ‘Your Excellency’ decided to bring a skit wrapped in the cloak of a movie to viewers.
In the opening scene of the ‘movie skit’, we see this couple, all jolly and sweet, preparing to begin their day.
The Ajadis played by Funke Akindele-Bello (Kemi Ajadi) and Akin Lewis (Lekan Ajadi) know how to have fun and with the comedic duo, the film sets off on a hilarious note. Mr Ajadi is a wealthy politician obsessed with Donald Trump. He is contesting in the presidential elections for the third time and absolutely adores Kemi, who is his second wife.
The movie however progresses on a directionless route save for the love story between the Ajadis that stayed true. This is why it is the only plot line in the film that has what looks like a conflict–even the return of Ajadi’s first wife weeks before her husband goes to the polls.
The character is that of the billionaire businessman who is loved by the electorate because of his famed “Ajadi Dance”. His dance moves at political rallies and campaigns endeared him to many. The buzz around the ‘Ajadi dance’ also goes on to spark a dance challenge on social media and it is an integral part of his campaign and identity.
With the rise of fake news daily on social media and more often than not, a blogger is behind it. ‘Your Excellency’ brings to light the dangerous trend of fake news and how it spreads quickly on social media, especially with the way people live fake lives.
The film casts light on social media slay queens who have fabulous and enviable lifestyles online but in reality, are struggling to make ends meet. Toni Tones plays the character of a famous blogger/celebrity who is living a fake life. We see her bribe an airport official to take photos in a stationary private jet to give off the misleading impression she was travelling in the jet. Another time, we see her taking soaked garri right before she turns on her camera for a vlog post only to say on camera that she just finished eating salad. What about the time her regular supplier of second-hand clothes visited her with bags of used clothes?
In all, ‘Your Excellency’ lacks a unique storyline and some soul to go with it. The other characters introduced in the movie seemed more like a “waka pass” (a film vernacular in Nollywood meaning extras) in the likes of Folarin ‘Falz’ Falana and Beverly Osu, who reprised their character from ‘Chief Daddy’ in a very tiny, inconsequential scene.
The height of mediocrity was Osas Ighodaro’s Candy, who is married to one-hit wonder Kachi (Alexx Ekubo). They have a reality show together and she is ready to stake for the fame and pay check to the detriment of their marriage with Kachi.
Directed by Funke Akindele and produced by James Amula; ‘Your Excellency’ is an Ebonylife Films and Funke Akindele-Bello Films production.
